13th May 2000

ECC v Springfield

A game against our old foes from Springfield saw us probably with the exclusion of the unavailable Roger Moore field our strongest side. Having won the toss and deciding to field yet again our bowlers showed that opposing teams will have to bat extremely well to post any score over 140. Springfield soon collapsed to 32-4 including ex-Staff player Pat O'Riordan being bowled by Paul Lewis for just 3. However, we were quite aware of Springfield's captain Russell Jones prowess with the bat from last years encounters and he had soon struck a fluent 23. Then what appeared to be the turning point of the match took place, Jones smashed another big shot in the air towards the mid-wicket boundary where incredibly Pierre Read stuck out a hand to hold an incredible catch. Jitts proceeded to take three wickets in the next four balls and Springfield were 62-8. Unfortunately yet again as per Ingatestone last year we let the rabbits scratch too many runs and Springfield clambered to 101 all out with Jitts carrying on from last year with 5-30. This total should have caused us no problems but we were quickly 0-2 with Hanson registering his second duck of the season. Nic Woollard and Ian Gandy for a short time threatened to take us near the total required but once Ian departed bowled by a peach from the opposing skipper, no one could give the support Nic Woollard desperately craved and we were bowled out for a pathetic 68 with Nic Woollard providing the only resistance, 9th man out for 29. When will we ever beat bloody Springfield?

Springfield 101 all out Lewis 10-1-17-2, Read 7.4-2-20-1, Mitty 10-2-30-2, Claughton 12-2-30-5

ECC 68 all out Gandy 11, Williams 0, Gregg 0, Woollard 29, Jones 4, Claughton 4, Pulsford 0, Mitty 0, Lewis 2, Clarke 8, Read 0no Springfield won by 33 runs

MAN OF THE MATCH Geoff Claughton